MMDA to focus resources on flood control

Will reshuffle manpower and reallocate budget

After being divested of Metro Manila’s traffic management, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to shift its focus on other facets of urban development.

"It now makes the agency focused on other areas where we are supposed to put our attention to. We have overlooked these because of our traffic management function," said MMDA Officer-in-Charge Thomas Orbos.

The MMDA hopes to reshuffle personnel and realign resources in order to shift its attention to various other problems including flood control.

"Just like the I-ACT, it is also good to have a unified approach on flood control. This time, we will be coordinating with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)," added Orbos.

Since 2002, the MMDA has handled the formulation and implementation of flood control measures from the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways).

Part of these measures include solid waste management which, under Section 6 (C) of Republic Act 7924 or the MMDA Law states that "solid waste disposal and management which include formulation and implementation of policies, standards, programs and projects for proper and sanitary waste disposal" is part of the duties of the MMDA.

"These are all things that the MMDA has to enforce including anti-littering campaign, anti-jaywalking. We will have to work on those. Also, solid waste management, that is our focus now. We all want a safer, cleaner, healthier and livable environment. This is our vision," said Orbos.